Offroad-Express

Hey guys, im new to all this 4x4 stuff but im wanting to buy one to carry my quad bike around so has to be a ute.

Been looking at these 2.6 fuel injection Mazda Proceeds, around the year 1997 XLT so its 2 door with the rear seats and has the bigger front end, electric windows and nicer dash compared to the eariler Proceeds.

What does everyone think about these trucks? Fuel consumption (good, bad?), power wise (gutless?) and just in general.

How would it go jacked up with some big tyres on it?

Just after some opinions really,

Cheers
- Jake

hey mate I know nothing about those utes but I can tell you anything of that era + your not going to be able to do much in the way of jacking it up and putting big tyres on it without some pretty serious modifications to bodywork, suspension, steering, lvvta certification etc

and coz you asked for opinions

get yourself a basic ute or even a trailer for you quad then go searching on trademe for the type of 4x4 your looking for thats already had all the work and $$$ spent on it it'll save you lots in the long run than trying to modify and build one yourself.... might not work for ya but thats my opinion

i know someone with the doublecab one kinda like a surf, they havnt had any problems with it that i know of, and they have had it for about 8 years.

Very thirsty on gas. Im guessing there torsion front? so could crank them up 50mm maybe and reset the rear 50mm also. Fit 32" tyres. Probably better saving a bit more and getting a Courier/Navara or Hilux etc. But if its cheap enough and what your looking for, go for it.

get yourself a basic ute or even a trailer for you quad then go searching on trademe for the type of 4x4 your looking for thats already had all the work and $$$ spent on it it'll save you lots in the long run than trying to modify and build one yourself.... might not work for ya but thats my opinion

Im of this opinion too. Get something like a hilux or a Cruiser or a Safari. Something that has been done many times before. Then after market support is good and there are plenty of experienced people to have modded them before and can offer rock solid advise.
No point in buying something rare, especially if your are new to the game. Also if your planning on doing abit of wheeling then aim for a truck with a beam front axle.

Ok cool guys.
Hiluxs are cool and easy to find parts for but dam expensive.

Iv got a 1992 2wd Courier at the moment but its so low putting any weight on it causes it to bottom out.

If I got a standard 2.6L Proceed, couldnt I just re index the torsions up front to get it sitting higher and then get rear leaf springs reset to sit higher aswell, chuck a big as bullbar on, some spot lights maybe, longer shocks and guard flares then put 15x10 on some big mud tyres (dont know how big?)

Cause that will get me around and should be able to have some offroading fun aswell?
Would I run into any problems doing that?

Dont think I want to get too serious about it but enough to let me drive over shit

Cheers
- Jake

the only problem with jacking up torsions is that it puts alot of stress on other parts and things will start breaking.

if your looking at doing offroad stuff with big tyres, there is no point buying something cheap, because it will end up being alot more expensive in the long run.

ive owned a terrano for the last few years and its been good, but as soon as i put torsion bars up and big tyres heaps of things wore out too, by the end of it i was wondering if i should get a safari but then decided i would just put a safari axle underneath the front of it. best mod i have ever done.